Page Updated 02/23/16

Aircraft of VW-1 The Constellations
BuNo's 137887-143230

CREDITS:
VW-1 data from George E Stewart & Dan Ragan VW-1 1952-55 resp. 1954-56.
Special thanks to John Moehlenkamp VW-1 1966-68 for researching, updating, and editing.
Earles L. McCaul, USN Webmaster: The Willie Victor Roster, site taken down in 2009:
    ATWAN, ATW3, VW-13, NS Argentia, Nfld 1964-65:
    ATW3, VW-11, NS Argentia, Nfld 1965:
    ATR2, AT1, VW-1, NAS Agana, Guam 1966-68"
    AT1 PMR, NAS Pt. Mugu, CA 1968-71

COMPILED BY:
Ernest D. Ruff, USN Ret.:
    LTJG, VX-4 Miramar Detachment 1950 - LTJG,:
    VC-11 Miramar Detachment 1950-52:
    LTJG, LT, Plank Owner, VW-1 Barbers Point 1952-53:
    LT, LCDR, VW-1, Guam 1958-60

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Dominique Breffort: Lockheed Constellation (history & collections), 2006
Peter J. Marson: The Lockheed Constellation Series: Air-Britain, 1982
Curtis K. Stringellow and Peter M. Bowers : Motorbooks Intnl, 1992
Kenneth E. Wixey : Lockheed Constellation, lan Alien ltd, 1987
Steve Ginter: Naval Fighters Number Eight, C-121, Steve Ginter, 1983
Willy Victor Page (willyvictor.com)
Joe Baugher’s bureau number page (joebaugher.com)
 

BuNo 137887                                     c/n 4344

137887 was previously listed as 135887. John Moehlenkamp VW-1 66-68 discovered the error while searching other web-sites and pictures on this web-site.

George E Stewart VW-1 52-55 confirmed John's work by using his old VW-1 flight logs. Georges e-mail stated "I checked my log book. I first flew 137887 and 137888 as a Flight Engineer in the month of June 1955. In fact, I flew 137888 to Washington D.C and back, July 9 -19, 1955, with Captain Perry who had to attend a meeting at the Pentagon. We stopped at San Diego, St Louis, South Weymouth and finally Pax. River."

Thanks to John for his detailed work.     hpw.

Built by Lockheed Aircraft1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-86 on 4 March 1955, it spent its entire 4 year service life in VW-1.

  • 6 May 1955 - assigned to VW-1 at NAS Barbers Point 2, T.H. as TE-12.
  • 12 July 1957 - VW-1 moved to NAS Agana 8, Guam, from NAS Barbers Point 2, T.H.
  • 6 February 1959 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ for storage.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated as EC-121K from WV-2.
  • 21 March 1963 - struck from USN inventory at NAF Litchfield Park3, AZ (TT: 2,418 hrs); cannibalized for parts; derelict condition.
  • 18 February 1965 - for sale at NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ by DOD from Davis-Monthan AFB 6, AZ.
  • 21 May 1965 - scrapped at NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ.

wv_outline.jpg
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BuNo 137888                                     c/n 4345

137888 was previously listed as 135888. John Moehlenkamp VW-1 66-68 discovered the error while searching other web-sites and pictures on this web-site.

George E Stewart VW-1 52-55 confirmed John's work by using his old VW-1 flight logs. Georges e-mail stated "I checked my log book. I first flew 137887 and 137888 as a Flight Engineer in the month of June 1955. In fact, I flew 137888 to Washington D.C and back, July 9 -19, 1955, with Captain Perry who had to attend a meeting at the Pentagon. We stopped at San Diego, St Louis, South Weymouth and finally Pax. River."

Thanks to John for his detailed work.     hpw.

Built by Lockheed Aircraft1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-86 on 4 March 1955, it spent its entire 4 year service life in VW-1.

  • 7 May 1955 - assigned to VW-1 at NAS Barbers Point 2, T.H. as TE-11.
  • 5 September 1957 - VW-1 moved to NAS Agana 8, Guam, from NAS Barbers Point2, T.H.
  • 20 January 1959 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ for storage.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated as EC-121K from WV-2.
  • 21 March 1963 - struck from USN inventory at NAF Litchfield Park3, AZ (TT: 2,370 hrs); cannibalized for parts.
  • 18 February 1965 - for sale at NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ by DOD from Davis-Monthan AFB 6, AZ.
  • 21 May 1965 - scrapped at NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ.

137888 circa 1955. Max Crabb
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BuNo 141331                                     c/n 4455

Built by Lockheed Aircraft1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-86 on December 1956.

  • 17 December 1956 - assigned to NAVCICOFFSCOL, NAS Glynco 4, GA as 4G-331, used for AEW/CIC radar training.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • August 1963 - transferred to VW-13, NS Argentia 5, Nfld as MK-331.
  • 1964 - converted to EC-121P from EC-121K for ASW mission. (P = ASW Julie/Jez gear)
  • 12 July 1965 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB 6, AZ for storage (TT: 6,914 hrs).
  • 12 April 1969 - withdrawn from storage and flown to Scott AFB7, IL, (still wearing VW-13 markings) for rework and conversion to WC-121N from EC-121P.
  • 12 April 1969 - transferred to VW-1, NAS Agana 8, Guam as TE-11.
  • 1 April 1971 - transferred to VQ-1, NAS Agana 8, Guam as PR-51.
  • 1 July 1971 - transferred to VW-4, NAS Jacksonville 9, FL as MH-3.
  • 12 July 1972 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB 6, AZ for storage. Last WC-121N to depart VW-4. [per Bob Katz, member5broadhost.com]
  • 16 January 1973 - struck from USN inventory at Davis-Monthan AFB6, AZ (TT: 8,922 hrs) by VW-4.
  • October 1975 - Still in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB 6, AZ.
  • 16 September 1976 - scrapped by Sun Valley Aviation of Phoenix, AZ, adjacent Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
141331 as TE-11 taking off from Atsugi
Photo by permission, BuNo 141331 with VW-1 as TE-11 during takeoff from NAS Atsugi, Japan, on 27-Sep-1970. Source: geta-o, via jcom.home.ne.jp
Photo forwarded by John Moehlenkamp.

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BuNo 143187                                     c/n 4461

Built by Lockheed Aircraft1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 31 January 1957.

  • 31 January 1957 - assigned to AEWMATRON-2, NAS Barbers Point2, T.H.
  • 1 August 1957 - transferred to AIRBARSRON-2, NAS Barbers Point2, T.H.
  • November 1957 - transferred to VW-1, NAS Agana 8, Guam as TE-?.
  • January 1959 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ for storage.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • ???? - struck from USN inventory at NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ (TT: 2,018 hrs).
  • October 1965 - scrapped at NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ.
wv_outline.jpg
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BuNo 143196                                     c/n4470

Built by Lockheed Aircraft1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 1 March 1957.

  • 01 March 1957 - assigned to AEWMATRON-2, NAS Barbers Point2, T.H.
  • November 1957 - transferred to VW-1, NAS Agana 8, Guam as TE-5.
  • Mid 1958 - used in Operation Hardtack I at Kwajalein as an optical, infra-red, and ultra-violet tracking platform.
  • October 1958 - transferred to VW-3, NAS Agana 8, Guam as PM-1.
  • June 1960 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ for storage.
  • 10 August 1961 - transferred to U.S. Army on bailment to Bell Telephone Laboratory, New York, NY, where converted to non-pressurized JC-121K for Army participation in "Project Marcom Relay" along with three similarly-configured USAF JC-121C aircraft (51-3841, 54-0160, and 54-0178); the elongated upper cupola housed cameras and electronic sensors used to record missile re-entry data; continued to wear BuNo 143196, named 'Younger's Mistress.'
  • 19 December 1967 - retired from U.S. Army use and transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB6, AZ for storage.
  • 22 May 1970 - struck from USN inventory at Davis-Monthan AFB6, AZ.
  • January 1972 - derelict with parts missing.
  • 23 October 1974 - Scrapped by Kolar Inc., Tucson, AZ, adjacent Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
143196-youngers-mistress_tn

Photo by permission, Paul Roales
Photo forwarded by John Moehlenkamp.

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BuNo 143203                                     c/n4477

Built by Lockheed Aircraft1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 20 May 1957.

  • 20 May 1957 - assigned to AEWMATRON-2, NAS Barbers Point 2, T.H. as RW-25.
  • September 1957 - transferred to VW-1, NAS Agana 8, Guam as TE-?.
  • April 1958 - transferred to AEWBARSRON-2, NAS Barbers Point2, T.H. as SH-25.
  • 1 June 1960 - transferred to AEWBARRONPAC, NAS Barbers Point2, HI as SH-25.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • February 1965 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB 6, AZ for storage.
  • 19 January 1967 - struck from USN inventory at AFASDG, transferred to USAF inventory.
  • 28 January 1967 - flown to LAS at Ontario, CA, for conversion to EC-121R as USAF s/n 67-21485 (one of 28 ex-USN EC-121K/P aircraft).
  • 1967 - transferred to 553rd Reconnaissance Wing, Korat RTAFB, Thailand.
  • 16 November 1970 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB 6, AZ for storage.
  • 18 May 1971 - struck from USAF inventory at Davis-Monthan AFB6, AZ.
  • 18 May 1971 - scrapped at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
wv_outline.jpg
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BuNo 143205                                     c/n4479

Built by Lockheed Aircraft1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 7 June 1957.

  • 7 June 1957 - assigned to AEWBARSRON-2, NAS Barbers Point 2, T.H. as SH-28.
  • 1 June 1960 - transferred to AEWBARRONPAC, NAS barbers Point2, HI as SH-28.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • Mid 1963 - converted to EC-121P from EC-121K.
  • March 1965 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB 6, AZ for storage.
  • 12 April 1969 - withdrawn from storage and flown to LASI, Jamaica, NY for rework and conversion to WC-121N from EC-121K.
  • 29 July 1969 - transferred to VW-1, NAS Agana 8, Guam as TE-12.
  • 1 July 1971 - transferred to VQ-1, NAS Agana 8, Guam as PR-52.
  • November 1971 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB 6, AZ for storage.
  • 6 November 1971 - struck from USN inventory at Davis-Monthan AFB6, AZ (TT: 12,503 hrs).
  • 24 May 1976 - scrapped by Sun Valley Aviation of Phoenix, AZ, adjacent Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.

wv_outline.jpg

Photo by permission, BuNo 143205 TE-12 at NAS Atsugi, Japan, date August 30, 1970 Source: geta-o, via jcom.home.ne.jp
Photo forwarded by John Moehlenkamp.

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BuNo 143225                                     c/n4499

Built by Lockheed Aircraft1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 2 December 1957.

  • 2 December 1957 - assigned to VW-3, NAS Agana 8, Guam.
  • February 1959 - transferred to VW-1, NAS Agana 8, Guam as TE-?.
  • June 1960 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ for storage.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • 21 May 1965 - struck from USN inventory at NAF Litchfield Park3, AZ (TT: 2,046 hrs).
  • October 1965 - scrapped at NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ.
wv_outline.jpg
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BuNo 143226                                     c/n5500

Built by Lockheed Aircraft1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 2 December 1957.

  • 2 December 1957 - assigned to VW-1, NAS Agana 8, Guam as TE-?.
  • June 1960 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ for storage.
  • 19 June 1961 - struck from USN inventory (AFASDG); transferred to US Army inventory as US Army s/n 143226; converted to NC-121D (TT: 10,203 hrs).
  • 24 August 1962 - Struck from US Army inventory; transferred to USAF inventory.
  • December 1965 – flown to LAS at Ontario, CA, for conversion to NC-121D as USAF s/n 56-6956.
  • December 1965 - transferred to Aeronautical Systems Division of AFSC, Wright-Patterson AFB10, OH. Used to measure radiation from the reentry of high-speed bodies into the earth's atmosphere The program was called Trap III. The airplane was nicknamed "Triple Nipple," because of the turrets that protruded through the top of the fuselage.
  • June 1969 - withdrawn from use.
  • November 1969 - transferred to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB 6, AZ for storage.
  • ???? - struck from USAF inventory at Davis-Monthan AFB 6, AZ.
  • June 1971 - scrapped at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
wv_outline.jpg
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BuNo 143227                                     c/n 5501

Built by Lockheed Aircraft1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 2 December 1957, it spent its short 2 year service life in VW-1.

  • 2 December 1957 - assigned to VW-1, NAS Agana 8, Guam as TE-?.
  • ? late-1958 - recoded TE-7..
  • June 1960 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ for storage.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • 21 May 1965 - struck from USN inventory at NAF Litchfield Park3, AZ (TT: 2,216 hrs).
  • October 1965 - scrapped at NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ.
TE-7 143227 circa 1958. Steve Birdman
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BuNo 143228                                     c/n 5502

Built by Lockheed Aircraft1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 9 December 1957, it spent its short 2 year service life in VW-1.

  • 9 December 1957 - assigned to VW-1 at NAS Agana 8, Guam as TE-7.
  • ? late-1958 - recoded TE-?..
  • 3 June 1960 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ for storage.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • 21 May 1965 - struck from USN inventory at NAF Litchfield Park3, AZ (TT: 2,149 hrs).
  • October 1965 - scrapped at NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ
wv_outline.jpg
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BuNo 143230                                     c/n 5504

Built by Lockheed Aircraft1 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the US Navy as WV-2-1049A-55-137 on 24 January 1958, it spent its short 2 year service life in VW-1.

  • 24 January 1958 - assigned to VW-1, NAS Agana 8, Guam as TE-3.
  • June 1960 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ for storage.
  • 18 September 1962 - redesignated EC-121K from WV-2.
  • 21 May 1965 - struck from USN inventory at NAF Litchfield Park3, AZ (TT: 2,104 hrs).
  • October 1965 - scrapped at NAF Litchfield Park 3, AZ.
wv_outline.jpg
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External Links:

1 [Lockheed Aircraft, from Wikipedia ]
2 [NAS Barbers Point, from Wikipedia]
3 [NAF Litchfield, from Wikipedia]
4 [NAS Glynco, from Wikipedia]
5 [NS Argentia, from Wikipedia ]
6 [Davis-Monthan AFB, from Wikipedia]
7 [Scott AFB, from Wikipedia ]
8 [NAS Agana, from Wikipedia ]
9 [NAS Jacksonville, from Wikipedia]
10 [Wright-Patterson AFB, from Wikipedia]